Brie is a delicious cheese that is popular owing to its distinct flavor and texture. Its indulgence comes at a somewhat high cost. So it’s reasonable that if you see some brie on sale, you may buy more than you need. This raises the following question:

Brie cheese can be frozen.

The quick answer is yes, but there are several tactics you should use. While freezing brie, or any cheese for that matter, will permanently destroy part of its inherent texture and flavor, this is true regardless of how you slice it (literally).

All you need to know about freezing brie is covered in this article.

Can You Freeze Brie?

The answer to the query can you freeze brie cheese depends on the degree of freshness you anticipate and the sort of meals you want to cook with it.

Cheese’s texture will always be altered by freezing. For example, it won’t have the same texture as when it’s fresh and may feel somewhat dry. Its distinct taste will also become more muted or weak.

The freezing technique you choose will have a significant impact on the brie’s quality (in this article, well outline two). The major method for keeping as much freshness as possible will be to firmly wrap little slices of brie.

If you don’t have enough time to carry out this approach properly, you may surely speed it up. In this scenario, it’s ideal to serve the brie cooked or melted, so the texture and flavor changes aren’t as evident.

How to Freeze Brie

As previously stated, there are two major techniques for freezing brie cheese. The first option is appropriate for people who prefer ease and do not have a lot of time to devote to the procedure.

This technique, like the second, will maintain less freshness than the first and is preferable for individuals who want to use the brie in a cooked or melted meal.

Method 1

For this procedure, you’ll need brie cheese, a baking pan, mat, or parchment paper, and a freezer bag or container.

Step 1:

To begin, slice the brie. To establish the thickness of the slices, consider how you want to prepare the cheese. For stews or sauces, for example, a few broad slices would enough, but for bread or crackers, you’ll want tiny, thin pieces.

Step 2:

Freeze the slices ahead of time. Place the parchment paper (or other nonstick paper) on the cookie pan and arrange the slices in a single layer about an inch apart. Place the tray in the freezer and keep it there for several hours or overnight.

Step 3:

When some time has elapsed, remove the slices off the tray and place them in your freezer bag or container. It might be useful to label it with the date.

Method 2

You’ll need the brie cheese, a freezer bag, and something to wrap the cheese in, such as parchment or wax paper, for this procedure. Saran wrap should not be used since it will stick to the cheese after it has thawed.

Step 1:

This way of slicing the cheese is recommended but not required. You should consider how often you will need the cheese in the future. If you choose not to slice the cheese, make sure you utilize the whole wheel within a short period of time, since we do not suggest re-thawing it.

Step 2:

Wrap the cheese or its pieces tightly in the wrapping paper of your choice. There should be no exposed cheese surfaces, and the covering should be tightly in place.

Step 3:

Place the wrapped pieces in the freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before closing the bag. It is much more important to mark the bag with the date when using this approach. Put in the freezer until required.

How Long Will Brie Last in the Fridge/Freezer?

Brie may often be stored in the refrigerator for two to three weeks after it is purchased at the grocery. Before freezing anything, be sure to check the best by date on the label. If the expiry date is approaching, freezing it may not be a good idea. Keep it in the fridge and try to finish it within a week or so.

Frozen brie should keep its freshness in the freezer for three to six months. Like with other frozen foods, the quality and freshness will deteriorate with time, so the sooner you use it, the better.

You don’t have to discard the cheese right away if it’s been more than six months, but it’s a good idea to let it thaw in the fridge and then evaluate it. If it seems to be in poor condition, you should dispose of it.

It is better to consume the brie within a day or two of it having thawed after being frozen and refrigerated. You should discard the thawed brie after three days. It is dangerous to refreeze cheese that has previously been thawed and refrozen, just as it is with meat.

How to Thaw/Defrost Brie

When it comes to defrosting the frozen brine, there are three options.

The best option is to thaw it in the refrigerator. Although this approach takes the longest, it is the most secure. Refrigerate the frozen components you want to use overnight. These should be ready by the morning. Let a little extra time if the texture is too firm.

You may alternatively put the desired bits in another bag and soak it in a basin of cold water. Wait two to three hours for it to be immersed.

It is totally OK to cook the brie frozen into a stew, broth, sauce, or baked dish. But, make sure the slices are precisely as you want them, since trying to slice the cheese once it is firmly frozen will be practically impossible.

How to Tell If Your Frozen Brie Has Gone Bad

There are various symptoms of deterioration you may look for to see whether your defrosted cheese is beginning to go bad. Here are some examples:

• Mold or discolouration that is not indigenous to the cheese
• A disagreeable, ammonia-like odor
• A brittle texture
• A bad flavor

Avoid removing any rotten bits of the brie and eating the remainder. In contrast to hard cheeses such as Parmesan, soft cheeses enable mold to spread swiftly, even if it is not apparent.

Things to Do with Frozen Brie

If you want to consume the defrosted brie immediately, allow it to reheat up at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes first for the best flavor and texture. If you used the second way to freeze the brie, you can pretty much create anything with it.

If you choose the first option, stick to meals in which you cook the brie so that the difference in flavor and texture is less evident. Soups, sauces, casseroles, stews, and just melting it on top of bread or other foods are all delicious ways to use brie.

Toasted Brie with Basil & Oregano is a fast and easy recipe:

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 360°F (or 180 C). You may also use a toaster oven for this.

Step 2:

Cut the bread and brie into slices. Spread the brie pieces over the toast and top with dried spices like basil and oregano.

Step 3:

Place the toasts on a baking sheet lined with foil or wax paper. Bake for 5–10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bread and brie.

Final Thoughts

Finally, we all know that the greatest brie is purchased and eaten fresh. But can brie cheese be frozen? You can, but be mindful that a tiny trace of taste and texture will be lost in the process.

If you need to get the task done fast, it is best to use frozen brie for melted dishes. If you can bear to slice the brie and wrap the pieces separately and securely, you can keep the brie fresh and enjoy it anyway you prefer.

It is critical to examine the brie once it has thawed to ensure it has not gone spoiled. Moreover, under no circumstances, should you refreeze defrosted cheese, since this may pose major health hazards.

When eating frozen brie fresh, it is recommended that you consume it on its own for prepared foods rather than putting it to a cheese plate at a dinner party or offering it to your guests. Brie is finest when purchased and served fresh. But, once melted, thawed brie tastes fantastic in an unlimited variety of prepared foods.